Abortion vote could come Wednesday

Tuesday

Supporters of bill to ban most abortions in Ohio vowed this morning to push for a vote as anti-abortion activists remain divided about whether the proposed law could backfire.

Supporters of bill to ban most abortions in Ohio vowed this morning to push for a vote as anti-abortion activists remain divided about whether the proposed law could backfire.

Ohio Right to Life is urging lawmakers to oppose House Bill 125 because the organization believes it would be struck down as unconstitutional and create higher precedent for future anti-abortion laws to overcome.

But the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, R-Napoleon, retorted: “They are wrong and we are right....People back home who are pro-life love House Bill 125 because it will save babies.”

During a press conference at the Statehouse, Wachtmann, who chairs the House committee considering the bill, said he intends to put the controversial measure up for a committee vote Wednesday morning.

He and others dismissed concerns about legal strategy, noting that many anti-abortion laws have faced court challenges and the fear of losing is a poor reason for not trying.

“We are delivering to the Supreme Court an invitation to overturn Roe,” said Linda Theis, a former executive director of Ohio Right to Life and supporter of House Bill 125.

Former state Rep. Seth Morgan said no one can say for sure how the justices will rule. “To predetermine a court outcome is not sound policy," he said.

House Bill 125 would give Ohio the most restrictive abortion law in the nation, outlawing the procedure once a fetal heartbeat can be medically detected, generally six or seven weeks into a woman’s pregnancy.

Ohio Right to Life says while it supports the ban, courts have overturned such laws as being too restrictive. It fears such a decision could open the door for a legal review of other abortion limits like the requirement that women wait 24 hours after their initial clinic visit to undergo the procedure.

“While the principle behind House Bill 125 is good, this is the wrong time,” Marshal M. Pitchford, chairman of Ohio Right to Life’s board of trustees, wrote in a letter last week to local chapters.

Several bills to restrict abortions have been introduced in the General Assembly this year after November elections provided anti-abortion majorities in both the House and Senate.

A spokesman for Gov. John Kasich said the governor has not taken a position on the bill.

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